Nominations that won in the 2025 Stevie Awards for Great Employers may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include

1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated achievements since January 1 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 1,300 characters) Required
b. Outline the achievements since the beginning of 2024 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 1,600 characters) Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 1,600 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and/or document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

H01. AI in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 where AI has been used to support DEIB goals in the workplace. Nominations should describe how AI contributed to identifying gaps, reducing bias, improving representation, or fostering inclusion, with clear attention to ethical safeguards and outcomes.

H02. AI in Learning and Skills Development Achievement
Recognizing a notable single achievement or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 in the use of artificial intelligence to enhance learning, skills development, or workforce capability building.

H03. AI-Driven Workforce Planning and Analytics Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 in the use of AI-driven analytics, forecasting, or modeling to support workforce planning, capacity planning, or future skills needs. Nominations should demonstrate how AI insights improved decision-making, agility, or organizational readiness.

H04. AI-Enabled Performance and Career Management Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 where AI has supported performance management, goal setting, feedback, or career development. Nominations should demonstrate how AI improved transparency, coaching, or career progression while supporting fair and responsible evaluation.

H05. AI-Enhanced Recruitment and Hiring Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 where AI has been used to improve recruitment, candidate matching, screening, or hiring processes. Nominations should address efficiency, quality of hire, candidate experience, and steps taken to mitigate bias and ensure fairness.

H06. AI for Employee Engagement and Experience Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 where AI has been used to enhance employee engagement, listening, feedback, or workplace experience. Examples include sentiment analysis, intelligent surveys, personalized communications, or AI-driven insights that led to measurable improvements in engagement or retention.

H07. AI-Powered HR Operations and Service Delivery Achievement
Recognizing notable single achievements or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 where AI has improved HR operations or service delivery. Examples include virtual HR assistants, intelligent case management, or automation of HR processes that enhanced accuracy, speed, employee satisfaction, or scalability.

H08. AI-Powered Talent and Internal Mobility Achievement
Recognizing a notable single achievement or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 in the use of artificial intelligence to support talent identification, skills matching, workforce planning, or internal mobility.

H09. AI Workforce Innovation Team of the Year
Recognizing an HR, people analytics, or cross-functional team that demonstrated exceptional leadership and collaboration in implementing AI-driven workforce initiatives since the beginning of 2024. Nominations should highlight governance, adoption, measurable impact, and responsible AI practices.

H10. AI Workforce Leader of the Year
Recognizing an individual HR, people, or workforce leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing the responsible use of AI in human resources since the beginning of 2024. Nominations should describe vision, execution, ethical leadership, and organizational impact.

H11. Ethical AI and People Data Governance Achievement
Recognizing a notable single achievement or a series of achievements since the beginning of 2024 related to the responsible design, governance, and use of artificial intelligence, algorithms, and people data in human resources.